The Ins and Outs of Poultry Showing!

So I went to a poutry show today. My first one. It was a lot of fun, but it made me feel like my birds are at the bottom of the roost. The buff orps there were probably about 10lb. hens and 12-13 lb. roo. About twice the size of my birds. There were 4 hens and 2 roos all by the same exhibitor. Of course they all took the top orp prizes because they were the only ones there.

My question is for all of you that show, would they win out over a smaller bird because of their size or would a smaller bird of the same size have a chance.

Also, to anyone that shows, tips and advice on cleaning, cooping and general showing of birds would be appreciated.

Sheila

Where all the chicken combers at?

I don't show, but Moxon's got a book.

Some stuff about showing from my book.

1. Refer to the APA Standard of Perfection and ABA Standard for weights and other characteristics to know what they should be, or the range they should fall into. It also gives defects and disqualifications.

2. It provides instructions on shampooing your birds and drying them and putting vaseline or baby oil on combs, wattles, and feet.

3. It talks about how you should only show birds that are used to handling and that will show well by not biting at the judges etc.

None of this from personal experience!
Cdr. Moxy

Does it have the bits about what is "legal" and what is "crooked" in modifying the bird for showing? I think we have the same book.

How about the name of the book, Queen of Info, LOL. Is it a showing book or just a chapter in a chicken book?

Sheila

Good question Cat!

Yes. My book is "How to Raise Chickens" and it's by Christine Heinrichs and it says "Agricultural FFA Education" in a little seal on the front and it has a nice rooster on it.

Mine is just a chapter. Moxon?

It's chapter 11.

I do have that book! I got it at Tractor Supply in Wooster, Ohio.

I also have "Choosing and Keeping Chickens" by Chris Graham and it has a small chapter on showing but it is a British book so might be different.

Okay I guess I need to buck up the $60.00 for the APA Standard Book. Can get a black and white copy cheaper but since my birds are in color,I think I will need the color pics to help me!

Sheila


This message was edited Oct 18, 2008 10:05 PM

Maybe you can get a used one on eBay?

I have the Brit Book! Nice description of breeds suitable for the backyard and safe for children--or not.

Damerow's "Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens" has a chapter on showing too. It is the one with a section on "Faking".

I have that book too! I didn't check it for a showing chapter.

I like the pics in the Brit book. My buttercup chicks are getting feathers just like the pic in that book of the Sicilian buttercup.

That is the book where I learned about the battery hen rescue societies in Britain. Such a good idea.

Yes, I get their e-newsletter. I would like to consider starting a US based similar organization, but not until I'm finished with law school...

crap, my message did not post. After you suggested that I check ebay, I went there immediately and no current book, but while there I did happen to check the hatching eggs and bid on and won 16 Light Brahma Eggs. I have been looking high and low for these and am sooo excited.

I think that maybe Moxy is the Chicken Fairy in disgise (Sp?). See she sent me after a book and now I have more eggs on the way.

Shame on you Moxy!

Sheila

Moxon is a CF in training--she doesn't know it yet---kind of like becoming the Dalai Lama.

I know a few show things wash chickens in baby shampoo it very gentle and doesn't remove alot the oil that makes them shiney. Clean nostrils and nails with a tooth pick to remove any dirt.
It's important for it to be proper weight and size for the breed and in OEG they even count tail feathers and certain wing feathers and even count the wing bars. the roo tail must only have 2 tail heads and they must make a perfect v from root to end and fail slightly apart. There are certain color patterns they follow and it has to be perfect.
Here are cheats: Rubbing ben gay on combs to redden them up.....Useing hair sheen to make feathers more glossy and putting clear nail polish on toe nails to fake a shine. Pulling feathers to have correct number or pulling white or off color feathers.
Judges look for these and if your caught you are out of there for the most part they are all honest and just have perfect birds.

Shiela Show birds are never free range or for some they never touch the ground or ever eat a bug.
They are pampered with the best feed and most are vaccinated and some receive antibiotic's after shows in case they have been exposed to anything.
The main goal of some show people is to win because if they win people will pay more for their birds
some get as high as $50 to $100 each and i've heard higher.

Thanks guys for the advice. If anyone is still up can you check out my chicken laxative thread. Don't ask just read it.

Thanks

Sheila

My question is for all of you that show, would they win out over a smaller bird because of their size or would a smaller bird of the same size have a chance.

-normal production buff orps r way differnt looking. show stock is at least double in size if not bigger, the feathers r longer and harder, they r brighter shineier in color not washed out looking.

Also, to anyone that shows, tips and advice on cleaning, cooping and general showing of birds would be appreciated.

-i show most of my flock in open shows sanctioned and non sactioned. i've shown bantams and standards of many different breeds. for bathing i use baby shampoo, yes it is easier on them and doesn't pull the oil out as much. i started useing it cause i have alot of crested breeds incase it gets in their eyes.

they r bathed, blow dried several times the few weeks to few days before show(feathers fixed, toe nails cut ect), full house cleanings top to bottom and shaveings piled in coops, (raised on wire year round). i use baby oil for feet, necks if naked and combs to help put oil back into skin and to shine. they r adams flea and tick sprayed for parasites, houses done in seven dust. i vaccinate for ILT, IB/Newcastle disease. here ILT is a required vaccs for showing and they must have PT and AI negative testing done and perminant bands for show, ea state/show is different on that.

when u do a show here u need to properly place them in classes by what is listed in the books, put bearded nonbearded ect, breed and hen, pullet, cock or cockeral and color. if u miss place them and it is not fixed before judgeing u r auto disqualified the judge will make the correction. u r not to even enter anything that is not above ordinary looking or show quality or better. if they even slightly look hatchery or pet quality u r asked to take them home or if they miss it will recieve, nw for not worthy or they will recieve nothing. they must follow the apa/aba standards.

my best advice is if u can't take rejection don't bother entering. if ur not willing to spend the money to buy good solid quality stock don't bother. i'm not saying u need top of the line just the best u can afford and do not spend more than u r willing to loose. i am a poultry tech for the state of PA and i work for one of the shows here also. i do blood work for my flock as well as many others for the AI and PT testing as well as for NPIP and diseases. i can test any poultry and water fowl in the state of PA as well as my DH he is liceanced also. i was told if they r not even breeder quality looking i'm not even to do the bloodwork for them and waste everyones time. showing is taken very seriously and can be very stressful not only for u but the birds as well and open show can be very cut throat at times. also there is alot of diseases protect ur flock!!

u can't get rich on winning, i've won highest ribbons and never got 1 premium for them ea show is different with different rules.

Major Williams - congratulations on the light brahma eggs. Now how on earth could I possibly be involved, I mean....I didn't know you wanted them....or wait....maybe I did....

Maybe I am not the Chicken Fairy, but the Chicken Lama.

And I don't mean Llama, because I do know how to spell, I mean like the Dalai Lama, as Catscan said. And besides, everybody knows there is no such thing as a Chicken Llama because that is genetically impossible.

Is it????? Let's think.....................

Is Moxon a GMO? Possibly.

I do have dual citizenship....that could possibly make me a GMO.

I know show people and they will chose a few out of 50 to 100 birds hatched that they consider show quality and those are housed in their own small cages off ground and fed specific diet's they are watched closely for any thing out of place and if it shows up out of their they go to be sold or culled.
baby chicks fair the worst they are judged from the hatch until they are old enough to see if they are show quality. 100s are culled each year that are not show quality show people protect their lines ruthlessly and would never sell a winner.
I know the man that started the Blue Wheaton and he and another man were the only 2 that owned them and they were each others competition until one day as it always happens someone learned the breed genetic's and now blue wheaton's are everywhere.
I don't recommend showing unless as sikie said you have the money and the time to spend on these birds and there is no getting rich as she said this is a very expensive hobby.

I am hoping to learn all I can on showing for 4 H for my grandson. He will be in this coming summer and next school year. Figured since I have chickens he might as well start with them. Then he can move up to what ever he wants when he gets a bit older.

knslwilliams! Hi! It's me Jen.....

The name of the book they are referring to is called "The American Poultry Association - American Standard of Perfection" . GET THE COLOR ONE!!!! There is so much variation that you THINK you have the right variety but you don't. Color is worth the difference. You can go to this website or e-bay ect to find it. http://www.amerpoultryassn.com/APA_ShoppingMall3.htm . It is kind of pricey but MAN worth the money.

Also, the smaller ones CAN win over the larger varieties...We have done it. Evidently from what one judge told us it is the bird that is CLOSEST to the standard of perfection . If you only have 4 large birds of course one will be 1, 2, 3, 4 place. You throw a smaller bird in there and you might be 1st and the others will be 2, 3, 4, 5.....That is why that book is so important to have in your library. I am not an expert on showing only been to 3 shows so far but that is what we have learned the hard way.

My daughter's first show she basically was told that her birds were crap. Sheila did you see that big rosette on my 2 polish roos? those were the crappy birds!!!!

Oh yeah remember Sheila the guy we were talking to at the show what was it he said, " I will sell you a good chicken but I will NEVER EVER sell you one that will beat ME! Not to be rude but that is the game! I will sell you one but you will pay out the eyeballs for it!"

This message was edited Oct 20, 2008 11:42 AM

I told you nobody will ever sell a winner you have to breed a winner to have one.

Welcome Jen-

Glad you made it over here to join us crazy chicken folks.

Guys I met Jen at the poultry show in Sedalia last weekend and invited her over here to join the craziness.

Thanks for your advice. I didn't get to stay until all of the judging was done. The kids were getting antsy. What did you end up winning?

Sheila

OH MY what a list. Jessica(DD) and Jason(DSon I never had) did Great. I left the specifics at home but here is what my memory served. I could be wrong and will edit tomorrow if I am. This judge liked small animals. Regardless of breed.

Open show. Chocolate call, 1st place BV

Junior show. Eggs - 3rd place cost me 3 bucks won 3.60 woo hoo 60 cents profit!
Grey hen 1st place, BV,BB,overall call! THAT one surprised me.
Grey drake, 2nd place I think.
Grey drake, 1st place I think
White Chinese gander. 1st, bv,bb(stinkpot bit my upper arm when I caged her and I have a double bruise where she bit my "FAT")
Pilgrim goose, 1st place, bv,bb
Ruen ducks (1, 2, 3, 4 but got marked down for size in overall) grrr
Mallard drake 1st bv,rb
Mallard drake 1st rv,bb
then her Golden polish 1st place, bb, rv
Buff bearded polish 1st place, rb, bv Don't ask me how they switch breed and variety I am confused
Mille Fleur cockrell, 1st place rv, rb
Mille Fleur pullet, 1st place, bb, bv
Red Frizzle Cockrell, 1st place bv
2 got knocked out of the show, said they were sick. Guess I get to nurse them back to health. Prolly got it there LOL
Salmon Faverole pullet, 1st place, bv
On the silkies I cannot remember who got bv, rv, bb, rb so I'm not even guessing
White non-bearded Silkie roo, 1st place
White bearded silkie roo, 2nd place
white bearded silkie pullets(1, 2)
White non-bearded silkie pullet 2
Partridge silkie hen 1st bv
Buff Brahma roo 1st place rv
Buff Brahma hen 1st place rb
Buff brahma pullet 1st place bv,bb

Jason
2 of his got 1st places bb, bv and rv rb
2 others got 1st place and beat out the big white roo on the first row! He was so excited.
I cannot remember what all else he won. It was kind of a blur at the end! LOL

We did come home with less than we left with! WOO HOO

Show birds tend to be bigger than even what the
standard sometimes calls for.
I guess big and impressive catches the judges eye.
The most common, dual purpose, brown egg layer breeds
tend to win over the Mediterranean breeds and less popular breeds.
Color matters too. Black and white birds dominate the
winner circle.
LOTS of politics goes on when showing any critter.
Been there, done that, don't want to do it anymore
but its fun to go observe.

I use to do dog shows, both showing one and working with the judges. Some breeds a LOT of politics and some judges who probably would not know the different between a poodle and a Chick-a-poo. One judge eyesight was so bad that she only rewarded large, white, hairy dogs.LOL

Wren

I know show people and they are somethin else when it comes to their birds thats why i don't show i can't stand all the Drama.

You want Drama be around the Poodle and America cocker spanial people. I hated working the rings that those breeds where in.

Oh YAH...drama is right and the people can be such snobs
especially when showing dogs or horses.
Just not my cup of tea.
I think poultry people are more low key but the politics still goes on.

I showed cats very briefly--but got spooked when the other breeders told me not to leave a water bowl in the show cage because people were known to poison cats they thought could challenge theirs.

I am sure poultry people are very nice.

I would hope they would be